To George Washington from William Heath, 9 September 1780

Newport September 9th 1780

Dear General

Yesterday I was honored with yours of the 28th Ultimo post. I immediately acquainted General Count de
Rochambeau with your Wishes respecting the militia doing duty here. He wishes to retain them a little longer; partly on
account of the intelligence you were pleased to communicate to him in your Letter of the 3d Instant, of the motions of the
Enemy at New York, and also in consequence of the French fleet’s having Sail’d from the West Indies. the intention and the
destination of both these he supposes will be soon known. the Militia Shall be discharged the moment his consent can be
obtaind. they are now closely employed at Butts’s hill which is a very heavy piece of Work. My sentiments perfectly
coincide with your Excellency’s with respect to this and all other works which have been repair’d or constructed here. I
have therefore in every instance been avoiding as much as possible putting the United States to Expense. this occasioned
my addressing your Excellency on the Pallisading or friezing the works at Butts’s hill. The Count is incessantly urging
the importance of that post and the necessity of it’s works being compleated.

The enclosed intelligence I have taken this morning from Capt. Earl’s own mouth. He is a man of Strict
veracity and full credit may be given to his Account. Many of the french officers are of opinion that the Fleet is bound
here. Capt. Earl informs me that Count de Guichen had received information before he sail’d that Admiral de Ternay was
block’d up by Admiral Arbuthnot that they were under Some apprehensions for the fate of the Fleet but none for the Army,
which they Supposed capable of defending itself. The Brittish fleet which Captain Earl Saw I think beyond a doubt, was
Admiral Arbuthnot, and furnishes grounds for Several conjectures. I have the honor to be, With the greatest respect Your
Excellency’s Most obedient Servant

W. Heath

DLC: Papers of George Washington.

Enclosure

Newport Sepr 9th 1780

This morning Capt. John Earl in the Schooner Polly arrived here from Cape Francois, which place he left
the 13th Ulto, with part of the French Fleet under the Command of Count de Guichen and off Tortoga the remainder of the Fleet Joined, makeing in the whole 27 Men of war, 24 of which were of the Line, and about 100 Sail
of merchant-Ships. Capt. Earl left the Fleet on the 28th Ulto in Latitude 23 Steering north close by the wind, but
could learn nothing of their distination he afterwards discovered them in Lat. 27 altogether. In Lat. 39, Long. 69 Capt.
Earl passed a British Fleet consisting of 24 Sail, nine of which he took to be men of War, Standing to the South west,
wind E.N.E. Four of the Ships Chased Capt. Earl for Six hours, but not being able to Come up with him returned to the
Fleet. In Latitude 40 Longitude 70 Capt. Earl Saw a Frigate and Schooner which gave him Chase, the former Six and the
Latter 18 hours Saw no other Ships at the Coast.

You Are Looking At

Reference

Cite as

“To George Washington from William Heath, 9 September 1780,” Founders Online, National Archives, last modified June 29, 2017, http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/99-01-02-03224. [This is an
Early Access document
from The Papers of George Washington.
It is not an authoritative final version.]

More between these correspondents

The National Historical Publications and
Records Commission (NHPRC) is part of the National
Archives. Through its grants program, the NHPRC supports a wide range of activities to
preserve, publish, and encourage the use of documentary sources, relating to the history of
the United States, and research and development projects to bring historical records to the
public.

Founders Online is an official website
of the U.S. government, administered by the
National Archives and Records Administration
through the NHPRC, in partnership with the
University of Virginia Press,
which is hosting this website.